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Today, Harlem State Senator Adriano Espaillat, the Democratic primary winner in New York’s 13th congressional district, addressed the delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in support of the Clinton-Kaine ticket. If elected in November, Espaillat would not only become the first Dominican-American to ever serve in Congress, he would also become the first member of Congress to publicly acknowledge being a former undocumented immigrant.

In reflecting on the opportunity to address the convention hall, Espaillat said, “standing before this historic convention was a highlight of my career. This was an opportunity like never before to tell the story of the striving immigrant.”

“The Democratic Party will stand up for an America that made my journey possible. Our party is unified behind Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine, and together, we will fight for a tolerant, inclusive and more compassionate America. In Congress, achieving truly comprehensive immigration reform will be at the top of my agenda, so every member of our society can reach their potential and every family can remain whole.”

At last week’s Republican National Convention, Republican delegates approved a staunchly anti-immigrant platform, in keeping with the intolerant rhetoric espoused by the Republican nominee Donald Trump. Senator Espaillat’s speech and his presence on stage was a resounding rebuke to the Trump-led Republican Party.